Chapter 10

Mage Clef proceeded to tell the magic knights all about the pillar system. He started by telling them what they already knew—the duty of the pillar which was to continuously pray for Cephiro's well-being without interruption. That meant the pillar couldn't love anything but the land itself. Negative emotions were out of the question as well. The girls could barely stand to listen to that part of the story, knowing it was what Princess Emeraude had to endure during her rule as pillar. They didn't want such a thing to happen ever again. Something had to be done by the time the new pillar was born.

Hikaru noticed the golden tiara with the sapphire colored gem on it, hovering over what appeared to be a spring. It looked familiar to her, and she knew why. "Princess Emeraude?This is your crown,isn't it?" she asked.

The former pillar nodded. "I wore that crown when I was the pillar."

"I thought so."

"There is one thing you should know about that crown," said Mage Clef. "It changes shape whenever there is someone worthy of becoming the new pillar."

Fuu noticed that the crown hadn't changed in appearance at all since the princess last wore it. "I take it that no one is worthy to be crowned as the new pillar yet."

"Very observant, Fuu."

Curious,Hikaru reached out to touch the crown.

"No,Hikaru,you mustn't," warned Princess Emeraude.

And the ancient mage added, "Any unworthy person who lays a hand on the crown shall surely perish."

"I see," said Hikaru, quickly taking her hand away. That was not a risk she was willing to take. If she died, she wouldn't be able to save Cephiro from the new evil.

To show Hikaru how powerful the crown truly was, Mage Clef threw a piece of metal at it. Sure

enough, the pool of water that surrounded the crown destroyed the metal with ease. The magic knights were astonished by such a sight.

"Wow," said Umi.

"That's only a sample of the crown's power," said Clef. "The chosen pillar entrusted with it will invoke all of its power. There is one last thing you should know concerning that. This door is surrounded by a barrier that protects this room from those unworthy. The door can only be opened by the magic ring."

"So only you can open it?" asked Umi.

Clef shook his head, and said that there were three items necessary:the magic ring, Zagato's armor , and Lantis' sword.

There was a question that nagged at Hikaru regarding the birth of a new pillar. "So Clef..exactly who is worthy of becoming the new pillar?"

"Anyone with the strongest heart and will is eligible to become the pillar. The person does not have to be a resident of Cephiro."

This was news to Hikaru. "So that means someone from one of the invading countries can have the qualifications to become the pillar as well?"

"Precisely."

Hikaru thought about this. She wondered if it were possible if the person worthy of becoming the pillar was not in the castle at all, and that's why the crown hadn't changed its current shape yet. She made the decision to go outside and search for people who were possibly worthy of becoming the next pillar. She thought it would be a big help, especially since she would also have the opportunity to rescue those who were in danger. Hikaru told the others of her decision,once they were back in Clef's study.

"I will go alone. I do not want to put anyone else in harms way," she said.

Umi thought that was very reckless of her. She objected to it. "You're not going alone! There are too many monsters out there roaming. I'm going with you."

"I'm against it as well. It is much too dangerous to go outside alone," said Sierra.

Zagato agreed; he didn't want Hikaru to let the accomplishment of becoming a true magic knight go to her head."You cannot possibly accomplish an extremely dangerous task on your own terms," he said.

"I must agree with him," said Fuu.

Princess Emeraude and Clef agreed as well.

Hikaru couldn't believe how difficult everybody was making this. They really seemed firm..possibly more firm than she was about this. "I know you guys mean well, but it's just not a good idea to have more than one magic knight outside the castle. What if Autozam attacks again?"

"That's why the three of us should stick together," said Fuu.

Hikaru thought about what everyone was saying. She had to admit that they had a good point,and that their concerns were valid. And she did appreciate them. She recalled when Lantis rescued the woman who had not been evacuated along with the others. And this would give her a chance to get to know him even better. Suddenly, she got an idea.

"I'll ask Lantis if he wants to come with me," she said, hoping that everyone would be satisfied.

"Hmmmm," said Mage Clef. He thought about this for a moment. He found it odd that Hikaru would ask Lantis of all people to go with her, but at the same time, he thought it was safer than Hikaru going out alone. He approved the decision.

"Great." Chances were that Lantis was much stronger than she was so it would only make sense to have him accompany her. She turned to Zagato. "You can come with me if you'd like."

The reformed high priest was a bit surprised that his former enemy would ask him to come along for protection, but at the same time he was flattered. Besides, now that he thought of it, he would have decided to go along anyway, just in case his younger brother needed some help. "That I will."

"Great." Hikaru went looking for Lantis. Zagato was right behind her. He briefly turned back and reassured Princess Emeraude that he would return as soon as possible.

"All right,then. Be careful, my love," she said.

"Not to worry,I will," said Zagato,gently touching Emeraude's cheek. With that, he left the study.

"Zagato," whispered the princess.

Lady Debonair had an evil grin on her face as she saw Zagato, Lantis and one of the magic knights exiting the castle. She thought this was the perfect time to put her plan into motion and the perfect opportunity for Alcyone to eliminate the high priest. She summoned the middle aged sorceress, who appeared before her at once.

"Yes,my lady?" Alcyone bowed respectfully. She hoped she was getting another chance to defeat those novice magic knights or better yet, a chance to destroy Zagato.

"How would you like to have some fun with that worthless high priest?" asked Debonair,grinning evilly.

Alcyone was hoping Debonair would ask that. She was beginning to lose patience."Oh I'd love that very much!"

"Torture him as you wish,then," said Lady Debonair.

That was something Alcyone's new master didn't have to tell her to do. She was going to torture him big time. She was going to make him sorry he disrespected her."I thank you, my lady." With that, the ice sorceress left the castle.

Nova,the Hikaru look alike was a bit jealous that Alcyone was being sent on a mission. She despised everything that was important to Hikaru and was anxious to destroy them all.

"Mother Debonair, when will I get to play with Hikaru?" she asked, trying her best not to sound impatient.

The evil woman smiled one of her deadly smiles. It appeared that she taught Nova well. "You will, soon enough."

Nova certainly hoped so; she didn't know how much longer she could wait.